Oshawa Generals’ forward Allan McShane played his minor midget hockey with the Toronto Marlboros during the 2015-2016 season where he put up very good offensive numbers with 30 goals and 28 assists in 55 games. That offensive output led the Erie Otters to select McShane in the first round of the 2016 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, using their 19th overall pick.

The following season, McShane would make the Otters’ roster right out of camp. He would appear in 33 games for Erie and notched 7 goals and 16 assists for 23 points.

Allan McShane of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

A mid season trade would send McShane to the Oshawa Generals. McShane was the focal point in a deal that sent Anthony Cirelli to the Otters in their quest for an OHL and Memorial Cup Championship.

McShane would go on to appear in 29 games for the Generals scoring 10 goals and adding another 11 assists. His 16 goals on the campaign ranked him 6th among rookies, while his 27 assists left him tied for 3rd and his 44 points 5th. He would be named to the OHL First All-Rookie squad.

Internationally, McShane has represented Canada at the Under-16 (4 goals, 6 assists in 6 games) and the World Hockey Challenge Under-17 (3 goals, 2 assists in 6 games). He was also an offensive force at the OHL Cup scoring 5 goals and 8 assists in 13 games. He helped his team capture silver in all 3 events.

Coming into this season, McShane would find himself on the National Hockey League Central Scouting’s players to watch list as a B prospect – typically a second or third round pick. On Central’s updated list where 139 Canadian Hockey League players made the cut in November, some were surprised to still find him as a B prospect and expected a rise in the rankings like teammate Serron Noel received.

McShane may just be the second-best playmaker out of the OHL draft group behind only top-2 consensus pick Andrei Svechnikov of the Barrie Colts.

While McShane lacks an explosive first step and high-end speed, he navigates around the offensive zone because of his shiftiness, the ability to go undetected and excellent hockey IQ and anticipation. Once he receives the puck, he has excellent possession skills and excellent patience which allows time for the play to develop. He also has underrated strength despite being a “smaller” forward. Fear of battling along the walls or driving to the net with or without the puck does not exist in McShane.

Despite the excellent playmaking abilities, McShane can sometimes be seen as having a shoot-first mentality. Being selfish in certain situations can only lead to good things. He possesses a deceptively good shot that he can get off in stride or on his back skate which can cause trouble for netminders.

Defensively, McShane is no slouch either. He puts in a strong effort on the backcheck despite the explosive speed, never giving up on it. He understands his role and where he should be in behind his own blueline. He gets into lanes with either his body or his stick, creates turnovers and he effectively clears the zone.

Size can sometimes unfairly come into play for a sub-6-foot player. But there is no questioning McShane’s talent.